Therapeutic Recreation Intern (Spring 2027)

Mecklenburg County Government; Charlotte, Northern (NC, KY); Hybrid; USD 18,000 - 23,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Reasonable accommodations

Job summary

Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation Department seeks a Therapeutic Recreation Intern (Recreation Assistant) to support its Therapeutic and Inclusive Recreation Services. The internship is 14 weeks minimum with 560 hours, daytime/evening/weekend shifts, and cross-training across teams.

This temporary role offers hands-on experience in adapted recreation, program facilitation, and safety. No prior experience required; High School Diploma or equivalent is needed, with CPR/First Aid recommended.

Qualifications

• No experience required.
• High School Diploma or equivalent.

Responsibilities

• Observe, assist, plan, and facilitate Therapeutic and Inclusive Recreation Services programming.
• Assist with facilitation of programs across the department.
• Complete assessments, planning, modification, and documentation.

Skills

Therapeutic recreation

Communication

Customer service

Classroom management

Education

High School Diploma

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Follow Your Calling, Find Your Career

Position pays $15.00/hr

At Mecklenburg County, you’ll have the chance to build a career as unique as you are with support, inclusive culture and technology to become the best version of you. We’re counting on YOUR unique voice and perspective to help Mecklenburg County become even better, too. Join us and build an exceptional experience for yourself, and a better working world for all. Did you know that Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation proudly hosts many community events each year? Hummingbird Festival, The Senior Games and Festival in the Park are just a few that our employees and residents look forward to every year! Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation Department (MCPRD) strives to enrich the lives of our residents. We do this by providing exciting and safe recreational amenities and programs, change to improve our resident’s fitness levels and decrease health care costs. This contributes to a sense of community through events and spaces for the public to socialize, thereby increasing property values and providing tourism venues. We protect open space, natural areas, and our treasured tree canopy through stewardship. We play a critical role in ensuring Mecklenburg County achieves its vision that the county “will be a community of pride and choice for people to LIVE, WORK and RECREATE.” The department serves a population exceeding one million residents and serves the City of Charlotte, six towns, and the unincorporated areas of the county covering 523 square miles. In addition, the department manages over 21,000 acres and 230+ parks, nature preserves, greenways and facilities. The Mecklenburg County Park & Recreation Department is continually recognized for its cutting-edge programs, state-of-the-art facilities and unique partnerships. Our success is rooted in our staff. If you are interested in joining a dynamic team, dedicated to building a better community, and being recognized as leaders both in our community and across the country, then Mecklenburg County has great opportunities for you.

POSITION SUMMARY

Mecklenburg County is looking for a Therapeutic Recreation Intern (Recreation Assistant) to join our Therapeutic and Inclusive Recreation Services (TIRS) department. This temporary, 14-week minimum internship position will be assigned to work within either the Therapeutic Recreation or Inclusion Services teams. Interns will cross train and gain experience to develop job task skills essential to both service areas. This position assists in organization, instruction and facilitation of therapeutic and adapted recreation and leisure programs, activities, and events for diversified age groups in programming categories that include Adapted Sports and Recreation; Aquatics, Health & Wellness; Community & Life Skills; Summer Camp / School Day Out / Afterschool / SPARK DAY; and Special Events and Holiday Programming. This internship will require the selected candidate to work 560 hours during their internship period, which will include daytime hours, evenings and weekends depending on business need.

By applying to this position, you are eligible to be considered for a similar role, in which you meet the minimum qualifications for, at other Park and Recreation locations should they become available. If you are looking to grow in your career, or transition laterally into a new role, don't miss this opportunity to apply!

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Previous experience in an educational, adapted sport, recreational therapy or working with a therapeutic population or setting highly preferred
• Current enrollment in a Therapeutic Recreation or Recreational Therapy graduate or undergraduate degree program
• Experience in facilitating adapted sports, fitness or aquatics, creative / expressive arts, outdoor adventure and life skills a plus

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Observe, assist, plan, and facilitate Therapeutic and Inclusive Recreation Services programming in a recreation center or park facility with participants with diverse abilities, life situations, diagnoses and disabilities.
• Assist with facilitation of Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation programming modifications and / or facilitation of programs across the entire department, including settings that include community recreation centers, regional recreation centers, nature centers, aquatic centers, athletics programming and park-based special events and programs.
• Complete assessments, program planning and modifications, program facilitation, evaluation and documentation and other essential Therapeutic Recreation / Recreational Therapy job functions as directed by TIRS staff per department processes, policies and procedures.
• Assist in supervision of Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation participants and monitoring of recreation equipment, facilities, supplies and materials.
• Provide excellent customer service and information about facilities and programs in a recreation center or park facility through professional customer interactions on the telephone, via email and in person.
• Ensure safety of participants/spectators and follow county risk management processes and procedures when necessary.
• Assist in enforcing TIRS program guidelines, rules and regulations.
• Assist in set up and light maintenance of activities within facilities and recreational areas.
• Supervise and provide personal care assistance to participants with disabilities involved in TIRS programming – this may include assistance with personal care and/or hygiene.
• Handles inquiries and complaints from public.
• Performs assigned related work tasks as required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Experience: No experience required.

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Computer Skills

General knowledge of applicable computer programs including Microsoft Office Suite

Licenses and Certifications

Requires a valid North Carolina or South Carolina Driver’s License and County Driving Privileges; CPR/First Aid

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Knowledge:

• Therapeutic recreational programming and instruction
• Recreational Therapy (APIED) Process that includes Assessment, Program and Treatment Planning / Activity Analysis; Program Facilitation / Group Management techniques; Documentation; Modification and Program Adaptations; Evaluation
• ATRA Standards of Practice / Code of Ethics
• Modalities appropriate for a municipal, community based Therapeutic Recreation program.

Skills:

• Applying therapeutic recreation knowledge and education through hands‑on activities
• Developing and enforcing classroom rules and safety procedure
• Managing multiple tasks concurrently
• Organizing and presenting demonstrations in area of specialization

Abilities:

• Building Trust: Interacting with others in a way that gives them confidence in one’s intentions and those of the organization.
• Applied Learning: Assimilating and applying new job‑related information in a timely manner.
• Communication: Clearly conveying information and ideas through a variety of media to individuals or groups in a manner that engages the audience and helps them understand and retain the message.
• Customer Focus: Ensuring that the customer perspective is a driving forces behind business decisions and activities; crafting and implementing service practices that meet customers’ and own organization’s needs.
• Initiating Action: Taking prompt action to accomplish objectives; taking action to achieve goals beyond what is required; being proactive.
• Safety Awareness: Identifying and correcting conditions that affect employee safety; upholding safety standards.
• Adaptability: Maintaining effectiveness when experiencing major changes in work responsibilities or environment; adjusting effectively to work within new work structures, processes, requirements, or cultures.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Moderate noise is typical for the work environment for this job.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS STATEMENT

To accomplish this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform, with or without reasonable accommodation, each essential function satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to help enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

DISCLAIMER STATEMENT

This is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of job‑related responsibilities, duties, skills, requirements or working conditions. Other duties may be assigned based on business need and the supervisor’s request. Mecklenburg County reserves the right to revise the job description at any time. Designated positions may be required to assist in emergency and/or disaster situations.